Franklin Co. Holds Year End Work Session

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Franklin County Commissioners are heading into the new year with a better idea of where they are on some major projects.

The board held a year-end work session last month at the Rocky Ford Recreation Center.

Franklin County Commission Chair Thomas Bridges said a number of big issues were covered and he called the afternoon session productive.

Bridges said the board talked about roads and upgrading some  equipment.

Another one of the big issues the Franklin County Commission hopes to tackle in 2015 is to start construction on the new sewer line along I-85 and the new wastewater treatment plant in Carnesville.

The board got an update on that project and Bridges said they expect to begin work on that project next year.

The total estimated cost of the sewer line/wastewater treatment project is $6.3 million.

In April, Franklin County received a USDA loan/check pkg in the amount of $2.7 million dollars to help pay for the six mile project.

The new sewer line will extend along I-85 from the 160 Exit at SR51 to the 166 Exit at SR106 and is expected to attract new industry into Franklin County.

Plans involve two new lift stations as well as a totally new wastewater treatment plant that will be built in the City of Carnesville.

The City of Carnesville has committed $200,000, and the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority has agreed to contribute $500,000 to the project.  Other monies will come out of the county’s water/sewer fund.

Also discussed was the planned jail pod additions at a cost of $1.5 million.

Franklin County will be paying for that project with monies already set aside from a previous SPLOST as well as a loan from a local lending institution.